Day 5: Small Changes Can Make a Difference
You’ve already made one big change in your routine: adding insulin to your diabetes treatment plan.
Now’s the time to start thinking about small changes that can help you improve blood sugar control. You
can try by choosing one of the examples below and see if you can incorporate it into your schedule starting
today—and stick with it for one week. Or, if you like, come up with your own idea that you know will
fit into your day.
Set Your Alarm 15 Minutes Early Each Day.
Use the extra time to pack a healthy meal, review your blood sugar log,
or to just relax.
Satisfy Your Cravings for Sweets.
Grab an apple or pear after your meal before you think of eating dessert.
Make a Grocery List.
Plan ahead with a list of healthy choices to buy at the supermarket—and stick to it.
One helpful tip: try to avoid food shopping when you’re hungry.
Get Packing.
Pack a healthy lunch for work. You’ll not only have a better meal, you’ll get to keep
more money in your pocket by not buying your lunch.
Add a Few More Steps to Your Day
Park your car further away from the entrance of a store or your office. Not only
are the extra steps healthy, you’ll avoid the aggravation of fighting everyone else
for the closer parking spots.
Take it Easy, Reduce Stress.
This can be as simple as visualizing a peaceful scene in your mind, playing some soft music
while you’re working, or learning a new breathing exercise. Try this simple relaxation technique
from the American Diabetes Association:
1 Sit or lie down with your arms and legs uncrossed.
2 Take a deep breath, then exhale as much air as you can.
3 Repeat, trying to relax your muscles while you breathe out.
4 Do this exercise at least once a day for 5 to 20 minutes.
Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any of the
inactive ingredients in Lantus®.
You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus®.
Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your
healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under
medical supervision.
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus® with any other insulin or solution.
It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be
serious. Lantus® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless
with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with
others.
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is
low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may
experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision.
Severe hypoglycemia may be serious and life-threatening. It may cause harm to your
heart or brain. Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions,
including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including
itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life-threatening.
Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they
can change the way insulin works. Before starting Lantus®, tell your
doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems,
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to
breast-feed.
Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin
pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about proper injection technique and
follow instructions in the Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.
Click here for Full Prescribing Information for Lantus®.
Click here for information on Sharps Medical Waste Disposal.
The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes
only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding
your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions
about your health or treatment.